Angry voters pin hopes on action hero

Absolutely everything ... Maria Shriver stands by her man as the governor-elect of California, Arnold Schwarzenegger, basks in the adulation of his supporters. Photo: AFP/Hector Mata

With a call for an end to "politics as usual", Hollywood star Arnold Schwarzenegger claimed victory in the California governor election, flanked by his Democrat wife, Maria Shriver, niece of the late president John F. Kennedy, and surrounded by members of the Kennedy dynasty.

Despite allegations of sexual misconduct and fears about his political inexperience, Mr Schwarzenegger was swept into office in a historic recall election that saw Californians turn out in record numbers to dump the Democratic governor, Gray Davis, after only 11 months of his second term.

Mr Schwarzenegger was introduced to cheering supporters at the Century Plaza Hotel in Los Angeles by the host of The Tonight Show, Jay Leno.

In his victory speech, the governor-elect told his supporters: "I came here with absolutely nothing and California has given me absolutely everything."

He said "I want to be the people's governor", and called for support to make "the tough choices ahead" so that "together we can make this again the greatest state in the greatest country in the world".

In his concession speech, Mr Davis also called on Californians "to put the chaos and the division of the recall behind us and do what's right for this great state of California".

But this may be more easier said than done. Mr Schwarzenegger faces a divided state, a deadlocked legislature dominated by Democrats, an $US8 billion ($11.5 billion) budget deficit, and sexual misconduct charges from 16 women.

The turbulent campaign saw 135 candidates nominate to replace Mr Davis, but the race came down to the Terminator star, Mr Schwarzenegger, and Mr Davis's lacklustre Democrat deputy, Cruz Bustamante. Mr Bustamante, beaten by almost 20 points, will stay as Lieutenant Governor and become "the loyal opposition".

Mr Schwarzenegger's film-star status, his immigrant success story and a slick campaign that outspent his opponents helped him win. Though the last week was dominated by allegations of his sexual misconduct, voters largely remained focused on Mr Davis's poor performance, the weak economy and the tripling of their car tax to help cover a record $US38 billion deficit last year.

According to one exit poll, Mr Davis's approval rating dropped to almost 20 per cent. The Democrats' tracking polls were so negative that shortly after voting opened, Mr Davis had written his concession speech.

Mr Schwarzenegger's campaign was thrown into disarray a week before the election when the Los Angeles Times ran detailed allegations from six women that the actor had groped them in incidents dating back to the 1970s. To the surprise of many supporters, the star issued a blanket apology. "I have behaved badly sometimes," he said. "I have done things that were not right which I thought then was playful but now I recognise that I have offended people."

Mr Schwarzenegger fought back against the groping allegations with the help of his wife, who is recognised as a talented television journalist.

Ms Shriver was the first person the actor thanked for his victory.

He told her in front of his supporters: "I know how many votes I got today because of you."

But some of the women making accusations against him may still attempt to pursue criminal or civil action against him, even before he takes office next month.

While Republicans celebrated Mr Schwarzenegger's election, some are concerned that his victory may also damage President George Bush if the groping complaints continue to receive wide publicity.